the wardette studio blog

It wasn't hard to title this wedding post with such a mouthful of alliteration. The wedding of Keith and Hollie really was pretty with soft pastel shades, it really was perfect in it's classic venue setting, and need I explain why it was pretty? Look at that bride..

The Paddocks was a beautiful contemporary and smart venue, set within the far reaching paddocks of Newmarket. Stretching away from this place, were endless fields and old wooden fences; horses dotted across them in the distance. Because it feels both quintessentially English, and mono-chromatically chic, it's hard to know which way the style and feel of the day will go.. or even which way the atmosphere in my photography would go.

However, Keith & Hollie's day was both a perfect response to it's setting and their own style. The sheer volume of floral texture and array of pastel shades, set against a very fresh white backdrop, lifted the entire atmosphere. Everything from the floaty fabric of the bridesmaid's dresses, which fluttered in the breeze as they walked, to the multi-coloured flowers which climbed and weaved through the white bird cages, was a breath a fresh air; the personal little notes left everywhere were nestled in ornate white frames; the table plan was even mounted on a mirror, which reflected the entire room and it's colours back across their names and tables.

For this reason, the thing that spoke loudest to me, was the light. The light of the pastel shades repeated everywhere; the tall arched windows of the venue; the light which dappled through the trees for their outside ceremony; the light which the orangery roof had pouring through it at dinner, and bouncing off the tiled floor;

the light which shone through the bride's veil as the sun was getting low...

and at a risk of sounding cliche, the lightness of the couple's chemistry. Hollie and Keith laughed so much, with both their friends and family, and with each other. Going back through the photos, and seeing so much genuine expression, against beautiful light, makes my job an absolute joy. Your laughter was infectious, and your lightness, colour and energy which exuded from every part and detail of your day, was something like a phosphorescence. Where 19th Century poet, Emily Dickinson, so aptly described poetry, she also perfectly described photography...

"Phosphorescence... Now there's a word to lift your hat to... to find that phosphorescence, that light within, that's the genius behind poetry..."

And arguably, behind the character and magic of any photograph.

Congratulations to this brilliant couple, I cannot wait for you to see the entire album!